This week we were challenged to think about some of the little things that have occurred on the race that have meant the most to us. The first three examples that came to my mind were all little things that my squad leaders have done for me that have meant the world to me. So, I have decided to recall those little things while simultaneously doing a mini appreciation post for Stephen, Aly, and Jackie.
Stephen//
It was a night in Ecuador. I remember I was sitting outside, alone and crying. I remember feeling homesick and just wishing that I could talk to my mom. Stephen came outside and sat next to me. He asked me what was wrong and I told him that I just wished I could give my mom a hug because she is my best friend. Instead of Stephen leaving it at that, he asked me to tell him about my mom, why I loved her and why she is my best friend. He just listened to me talk and sat with me until I felt okay. His little act of pushing to know me better opened up a space that was comfortable for future talks.
Thank you, Stephen, for your little act of kindness that shifted my mood and made me feel understood + seen.
Aly//
Aly has sought me out multiple times, often to call me higher which I appreciate. Her care started for me at training camp, specifically on the last night. I was sick and instead of sending me to bed, she made an effort to get to know me and make me feel seen, even in my sickness. We had a really good/hard conversation and then she handed me over to Alyssa who made me tea and hung out with me for the night. That night was a stepping stone for a couple different little things that Aly has done to love me really well.
Aly and I walked through an inner-healing session together, and at the end, she pulled out these notecards. There were three cards that she took the time to write out scripture and lyrics from a song for me. She told me that she prepared a lot for our conversation in prayer, and these were some of the things God was telling her to tell me. Her little act of taking the time to write things out for ME showed me the depth of her care. It may not have seemed like a big deal to her, but hand-written things mean everything to me.
Thank you, Aly, for your little act of kindness that made me feel deeply cared for + loved.
Jackie//
Jackie is the specific squad leader over my team. She is always praying+laughing+crying with us and really seeks to love us super well.
Last week I was sick with a throat infection (strep throat perhaps? Not exactly sure haha) that started on Wednesday. At breakfast Wednesday morning, Jackie and I were sitting together on the couch and I told her how I was feeling. She told me to take the day to rest, so I ate breakfast and went back to bed. Wednesdays are our squad leader’s admin day, and they were headed into Antigua to make calls and do all their administration things. She texted me and asked if I needed anything and I said a Gatorade would be great. Then I slept all day. When Jackie got home, she came into my room before even setting anything down and she immediately asked me how I was feeling. Then she pulled off her backpack and started pulling out all these goodies for me! She gave me two Gatorades, my favorite chips, a sleeve of chiky cookies, and medicine galore. I was so overwhelmed with love that I immediately burst into tears. I was sick for the next two days, and on Friday we decided to go to the clinic in Antigua to get a diagnosis and medicine. After that, since we were already in Antigua, we had a Jackie+Dan day which included fancy smoothies, reaaaalllllly good food and lots of great conversation. Jackie cares for you so hard and she shows how much she loves you through her actions.
Thank you, Jackie, for your little acts of kindness that heal my heart and make me feel immensely cared for.
Truly, little things can make the biggest impact.
These three know how to love and they do it exceptionally well.
